Politics - POLSF14044
This Stream is no longer accepting new enrolments
Stream Summary
Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science
School: School of Social Sciences
Contact: School of Social Sciences
Program: 4044 - Social Work (Honours)/SR&P
Award(s):
Bachelor of Social Research and Policy (Major)
View stream information for previous years
Stream Outline
THIS STREAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING FROM 2016.
The word ‘politics’ often causes people to think of politicians. Certainly they are important as we live in a democracy which is run by political elites. Elites, however, operate within a constitutional framework of institutions such as political parties, legislatures, courts and bureaucracies. And in a democracy political elites are elected by citizens, who can mobilize through social movements and protests and whose voices feed and resonate through the media, including digital media. Since the 1960s a range of new actors and issues have arisen, such as women, indigenes, ethnic and religious minorities, and libertarian groups. All of these actors compete over principles and policies that are articulated through ideas such as legitimacy, authority, obligation, freedom, equality, multiculturalism, human rights, justice, and democracy itself. In turn, political power is always engaged with other forms of power, from economic power to the power of governance structures.
Furthermore, politics doesn’t stop at our border. Australia is connected to the world and to globalization such that what happens in other countries directly affects what happens here. For that reason politics also needs to be studied in comparative and cosmopolitan perspectives. A major stream in Politics will provide an advanced understanding of significant political issues, the apparatus of government, and contemporary methodological, theoretical and conceptual debates. A major stream in Politics pairs well with a minor stream in International Relations, Philosophy, History, Development Studies, or Sociology & Anthropology.
The word ‘politics’ often causes people to think of politicians. Certainly they are important as we live in a democracy which is run by political elites. Elites, however, operate within a constitutional framework of institutions such as political parties, legislatures, courts and bureaucracies. And in a democracy political elites are elected by citizens, who can mobilize through social movements and protests and whose voices feed and resonate through the media, including digital media. Since the 1960s a range of new actors and issues have arisen, such as women, indigenes, ethnic and religious minorities, and libertarian groups. All of these actors compete over principles and policies that are articulated through ideas such as legitimacy, authority, obligation, freedom, equality, multiculturalism, human rights, justice, and democracy itself. In turn, political power is always engaged with other forms of power, from economic power to the power of governance structures.
Furthermore, politics doesn’t stop at our border. Australia is connected to the world and to globalization such that what happens in other countries directly affects what happens here. For that reason politics also needs to be studied in comparative and cosmopolitan perspectives. A major stream in Politics will provide an advanced understanding of significant political issues, the apparatus of government, and contemporary methodological, theoretical and conceptual debates. A major stream in Politics pairs well with a minor stream in International Relations, Philosophy, History, Development Studies, or Sociology & Anthropology.
Stream Learning Outcomes
You should achieve the following learning outcomes upon the successful completion of the stream:
- Interpret understandings of the foundations of political institutions and actors
- Explain the development of political knowledge in connection with historical, philosophical and social perspectives
- Explain the contested nature and the problematic character of political inquiry
Stream Structure
If you wish to gain a major stream in Politics you must obtain 60 units of credit including 12 UOC of core courses at Level 1, at least 18 UOC at Level 2 including a 6 UOC Level 2 core course and at least 18 UOC at Level 3 including a 6 UOC Level 3 core course.
Level 1
You must complete the following Level 1 core courses:
- ARTS1840 Aust Politics in Global Perspe (6 UOC)
- ARTS1844 Politics and Principles (6 UOC)
Level 2
You must complete the following Level 2 core course:
And at least 12 UOC from the following:
- ARTS2840 Politics of Human Rights (6 UOC)
- ARTS2845 Sex, Human Rights & Justice (6 UOC)
- ARTS2846 Multiculturalism (6 UOC)
- ARTS2848 Language, Politics & Media (6 UOC)
The following courses from other subject areas can also be counted towards the Politics major stream:
- ARTS2811 International Law (6 UOC)
- ATSI2014 Indigenous People and Policy (6 UOC)
- SRAP2002 Policy Analysis (6 UOC)
Level 3
You must complete the following Level 3 core course:
And at least 12 UOC from the following:
- ARTS3845 Australian Politics: Debates (6 UOC)
- ARTS3846 Political Actors (6 UOC)
- ARTS3849 Peoples, States & Sovereignty (6 UOC)
The following courses from other subject areas can also be counted towards the Politics major stream:
- ARTS3758 Global Change Internship (6 UOC)
- ARTS3759 Internship Prep (6 UOC)
- ARTS3814 Australian Foreign Policy (6 UOC)
- ARTS3816 US, China and Intl Law (6 UOC)
